Monday, June 20, 2005
EXCLUSION ZONE
Commons exclusion zone to ban protesters
By Andrew Sparrow, Political Correspondent
(Filed: 16/06/2005)
Charles Clarke was accused of showing contempt for democracy yesterday after it emerged that he wants to restrict the right to demonstrate near Parliament.
Opposition MPs spoke out after they discovered he is using powers under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, to create a half-mile ''exclusion zone'' around the House of Commons. Under the Act, which was passed last year, the Home Secretary has the power to create an exclusion zone stretching up to a 1,000 yards from Parliament.
The measure was included in the Act because MPs wanted to get rid of a nosiy peace protestor, Brian Haw, whose one-man vigil outside the gates of the Commons was considered a nuisance.
But, as a map released to MPs has revealed, Mr Clarke has decided to use his powers almost to the full. Once the legislation comes into force on August 1, people will only be allowed to stage demonstrations in the zone if they obtain permission in advance. The police will be able to set stringent conditions, such as a half-hour time limit. People who demonstrate inside the zone without permission could be arrested.
David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "This plan was sold as a way of dealing with the eyesore created by Brian Haw's protest. It is now being used to exclude peaceful protest, far beyond what was originally intended. This is a contempt of Parliament and a contempt of people's right to protest."
Mark Oaten, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: "Preventing people from freely voicing their opinions outside Parliament was bad enough.
"What possible justification can there be for banning spontaneous demonstrations across such a wide area?"
The exclusion zone will cover Whitehall, a large area of Westminster and parts of the South Bank, including the London Eye. Trafalgar Square, a traditional venue for protests, is not included.
The Home Office said the exclusion zone boundaries had been drawn up in consultation with Scotland Yard, taking into account the powers within the Act and security risks.
By Andrew Sparrow, Political Correspondent
(Filed: 16/06/2005)
Charles Clarke was accused of showing contempt for democracy yesterday after it emerged that he wants to restrict the right to demonstrate near Parliament.
Opposition MPs spoke out after they discovered he is using powers under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act, to create a half-mile ''exclusion zone'' around the House of Commons. Under the Act, which was passed last year, the Home Secretary has the power to create an exclusion zone stretching up to a 1,000 yards from Parliament.
The measure was included in the Act because MPs wanted to get rid of a nosiy peace protestor, Brian Haw, whose one-man vigil outside the gates of the Commons was considered a nuisance.
But, as a map released to MPs has revealed, Mr Clarke has decided to use his powers almost to the full. Once the legislation comes into force on August 1, people will only be allowed to stage demonstrations in the zone if they obtain permission in advance. The police will be able to set stringent conditions, such as a half-hour time limit. People who demonstrate inside the zone without permission could be arrested.
David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "This plan was sold as a way of dealing with the eyesore created by Brian Haw's protest. It is now being used to exclude peaceful protest, far beyond what was originally intended. This is a contempt of Parliament and a contempt of people's right to protest."
Mark Oaten, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: "Preventing people from freely voicing their opinions outside Parliament was bad enough.
"What possible justification can there be for banning spontaneous demonstrations across such a wide area?"
The exclusion zone will cover Whitehall, a large area of Westminster and parts of the South Bank, including the London Eye. Trafalgar Square, a traditional venue for protests, is not included.
The Home Office said the exclusion zone boundaries had been drawn up in consultation with Scotland Yard, taking into account the powers within the Act and security risks.
